See, it’s not that I forgot that we tend to discount that which comes most easily – I can’t forget it, I say it to my clients all the time. But it certainly seems I forgot to coach myself on this subject.

Here’s how it happened: Last week I led a two-day retreat for coaches on business-building. They came from Montana, Hawaii, California, Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina and the Washington, DC-area, and each dug deeply into a new framework I created for the event called “The Shoulds Map”. It was a powerful, meaningful process and every person left with a solid path forward toward success.

It was moving, resonant and inspiring.

Afterwards, one of the participants – an executive coach with 21 years of experience – said, “You must facilitate a lot of groups. You are so good at it.”

I tilted my head to the right and looked at her as if she had just spoken to me in ancient Greek. Or maybe tongues.

Groups? Sure I do groups. What’s the big deal? I’ve always have done groups. Groups, mostly, who want to – need to – get something done. Yeah, I do groups. Sure.

But do I promote groups? Do I talk about it? Do I highlight this skill? No, not really.

I sort of take whatever group work comes my way because group facilitation is so freaking easy for me.

And, we’re supposed to sellsellsell those things that are hard, right?

Sheesh. Look at me over here not walking my talk.

So today I’m talking about my work with groups who want to/need to get stuff done because I need to claim it. Ready?

I’m so good at facilitating groups that it feels effortless.

There, I said it.

And I’ll bet that there’s something you do that you need to claim. Something that’s so easy it feels effortless. Something so easy it doesn’t even register as that valuable to you.

Whether your skill is crunching the numbers to create the kind of financial analysis that seals the deal, or innovating spectacular interior design, or educating a room full of kindergartners, owning your particular thing is a huge step toward turning things around, being a good self-advocate and becoming a really happy, successful person.

So, I went first and now it’s your turn – let me facilitate this for you: What are you going to claim today?

Are you ready to get Unstuck??

20 Questions designed to shift you out of stuck and into clear.

Into the right next steps to get what you want in your life, your career, your future.
You'll find that one thing you can do to unlock all the rest of it, the one tangible thing you can do to get going.
Doesn't the idea of that sound fantastic?

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I once spent an hour is silent awe observing a watchmaker reassemble the minute and intricate workings of a very old Swiss pocket watch. Hunched over and staring through an eyeloupe, he ticked and tocked that jumble of gears and wheels back into good order like a seven-year old putting alphabet blocks in sequence.

When he snapped the back into place and pulled the loupe from his forehead, I spoke of how easy he made that look — how effortlessly it happened before my eyes.

He smiled and said when the heart and hand work to the same goal there is no toil, no trouble, no tears.

I never forgot that.

Your heart — and your hands — are in sync.

And that is one of the greatest blessings that, sadly, too few ever experience.

What a lovely blog post! It’s so true, everyone has something that they (we) do well, instinctively and almost effortlessly. Remembering and focusing on that strength within ourselves is such a simple and positive way to find purpose, empowerment and a sense of self worth. Thanks so much for the reminder!

Great reminder for me as I enter the final week in a job that could not have been further from effortless. I’ve had several lovely compliments from my colleagues as the news has spread and I have had to work at accepting them with gratitude rather than the “Who me?” response that so easily trips off the tongue. My boss told me she had no one else in her team who could always be counted on for creative ideas and innovative problem solving. I loved that because that’s what gets my heart and hands in sync.